Writer, Facilitator, Creative Catalyst

Adventures

What I’m up to at the moment:

My main focus is work on the next novel – set in the Highlands of Scotland. Lots of research, talking to people, thinking, visiting, watching, learning and… writing. I am very thankful to Creative Scotland for awarding me a grant towards this work.

Appearing at the Ullapool Book Festival 6-8 May. Join us for one of the Highland’s most engaging literary events.

What I’ve recently finished:

Recording of my radio play “My Life and Other Stories” for BBC Radio 4. Two intense, exciting days at the end of February with cast and techies in the BBC Scotland studio at Pacific Quay. Broadcast will be Monday 14th March at 2.15pm GMT, and available for a month after that on BBC iPlayer.

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Still brimming over after an amazing weekend at the #ScotsWrite conference organised by our Society of Authors in Scotland committee. We had keynote talks from Joanne Harris, Jane Johnson, Charlie Higson and Joanna Penn of The Creative Penn and an amazing line up of other speakers and sessions covering every discipline from sci-fi to poetry, graphic novels to translation and every aspect of the writer's life from mental health to legal protections. Such a privilege to be part of the dynamic organising team and such a joy to see it all come together. ...

How many cookbooks would include Cowboy Pineapple Cookies, Tibetan Momos, Liver Croquettes and Guava Cheese? I know of one. And how many novels include a cookbook? I know of three that include the very same one. Read all about it... ...

Another brilliant day in Edinburgh. Show by Annie George at Scottish Storytelling Centre, 'Home is Not the Place' about her Kerala poet grandfather; hugely entertaining talk by William Dalrymple at Edinburgh International Book Festival about the Koh-i-noor diamond; and finishing with hilarious stand-up comedy from Sindhu Vee, my long-time-ago school chum. Love Festival season! ...

A very interesting interview with author Stephen Alter who lives and works in the Indian hill-station of Mussoorie, where Askival is set. Steve's memoir, All the Way to Heaven, was a significant source for me, as were the recollections of his late father, Rev Bob Alter. His home, shown in this video, is one of the best preserved colonial bungalows in Mussoorie. ...